Funnel Cake? No One Mentioned Funnel Cake!

We went to the market last night – and not only was there funnel cake – but at the other end, freshly-made donuts. Now, I didn’t partake – but I sure was tempted.

The market was lovely. What a treat only 2 blocks away! Personally, I was disappointed that there were not more “holiday” items though – mostly jewelry and photography – while beautiful, I was hoping for some hand-painted ornaments, etc. to buy small gifts.

I too, was disappointed that there wasn’t more variety in the things offered. It seemed like the same booths over and over again….jewelry, photography, jewelry, photography.

I believe the booths change every couple of days, try again.

I had the fresh donuts as part of my Hannukah celebration (Israelis eat donuts, not potato pancakes). Anyway, they were morsels from heaven! Hot, fresh, melting powdered sugar and cinnamon. YUM!

DCGirl, did you see the beautiful hand-painted egg ornaments (at least I think they were ornaments) at the Russian booth. That booth was there over the weekend at least …

now I know what I’m having for dessert tomorrow night.

I know that this market is fairly new and not trying to be a “European” style Christmas market, but it would be nice to see something fresh and new.

The vendors seem to be the same ones from Eastern Market.

We have just returned from France and Germany where we visited several Christmas markets, and they had a nice feel to them and lots of variety.

There are many talented people in the metropolitan area, and it would be a good suggestion to invite them to participate.

This market has great potential, but the booths need to be more festive and offer a better variety with original items. More attention needs to be made to avoid alot of repetition (ie limit number of jewelry and photo booths,etc). This will also be more profitable for the vendors.

The new food booths are a great improvement over last year.

I went again yesterday and the donut guy was replaced by a crepe vendor – so of course I had to sample one – my favorite is banana with a sprinkle of sugar – now that’s the European feel I was looking for! If they just had the gluwein, we’d be all happy.

I went last night and it was the same old tired jewelry, hippie clothing and photographs that pop up in that market regardless of the time of year. More variety please.

To DC GIRL…ditto on the gluwein.

The Donut guy is the crepe guy. I went yesterday and asked about the mini donuts. The guy selling crepes said they were switching menus for variety and they will be selling donuts on Friday.

I think the vendors are quite good. Yes, there is a lot of jewelry, hippie clothes and photos — from people who make and sell their wares full time. As someone who has organized craft fairs, etc., it is VERY difficult to get a variety of people.

Artists who show in galleries often cannot by contract sell at a street fair; many “cool” crafters work full-time and can’t work a booth during the week; when we add “commercial” booths, inevidibly, we get more criticism.

The market is brilliant this year: good mix of vendors — which chnges daily — if you don’t like what you see, come back tomorrow. It is also a nice variety of simple food to warm you up as you shop. And the entertainment is broad enough for all to enjoy.

Again, as I often have to end messages to this blog — if you don’t like something — get involved to help plan, change or steer a program to your liking. Maybe this holiday season, the naysayers will make a resolution to make change, not noise — and save many of us from the sound of whining.

To J-

The tone of your post sounds incredibly defensive for some reason. I am not sure whether you intended it that way or not, but the comments regarding repetition should not create a defensive attitude. They are simply true.

Yes, more people could/should get involved to help out if they are unsatisfied and would prefer something different. Hopefully, they will take you up on that suggestion.

Personally, I believe that a huge majority of the non-food items are simply boring. They are the same items that were at the market last year, and that get trotted out to every other market in the DC metro-area. Although, I do commend these vendors for their efforts, and I am glad to see people come in from the ‘burbs to but the products and keep the vendors in business.

My problem with the “Christmas” market is that there is not much holiday-specific merchandise. Most of this stuff is at Eastern Market every weekend. Sure, it’s great to have this in the downtown area, but I want seasonal items, gifts, decorations, holiday baked goods, candles, and things that evoke the holidays. That said, this year’s market is an improvement over last year’s. I hope next year’s will be even better. I recommend the watercolor lady who has wonderful holiday cards with prints of her watercolors of the Chinatown Gate and Portrait Gallery in the snow.

(overheard at the market to one of the organizers) “The market is great. I know some expect more — to be a real European Christmas market. Guess what, those markets have been going on for hundreds of years, and yours for 2. You are doing very well — and it can only grow and get better.”

Nice perspective.